Color changing container apparatus

ABSTRACT

A color changing container apparatus is disclosed. The color changing container apparatus includes a container having an open top, a bottom and a side, and constructed from a material such that at least a part of the container transmits light there-through; and at least one light emitting device attachable to the container to direct light through the container when the container is connected to the at least one light emitting device and providing at least one light color to illuminate the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/474,644, filed Sep. 2, 2014, the entire contents of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to a container apparatus havingmultiple light emitting diodes to illuminate at least a part of thecontainer of the container apparatus and, if included, its contents.

BACKGROUND

Containers that change color are known in the art. Some containers havea temperature sensitive paint which changes color according to theexternal temperature. For example, such a container can have one colorwhen filled with a cold liquid and a different color when filled with ahot liquid. Other containers have a fluorescent colorant which is of aparticular color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Typically, suchconventional color change containers have limited possible colors.

What is needed is a container where the color of which, and its contentsif included, can be selected from among several colors.

This disclosure describes improvements over these prior arttechnologies.

SUMMARY

A color changing container apparatus is provided herein, said colorchanging container apparatus includes a container having an open top, abottom and a side, and constructed from a material such that at least apart of the container transmits light there-through; and at least onelight emitting device to direct light through the container.

A color changing container apparatus is provided herein, said colorchanging container apparatus includes a container having an open top, abottom and a side, and constructed from a material such that at least apart of the container transmits light there-through; a base attachableto the bottom of the container comprising at least one light emittingdevice positioned to direct light through the bottom of the containerwhen the container is connected to the base and providing a plurality ofuser selectable colors; and a plurality of switches for selecting adesired color.

A color changing container apparatus is provided herein, said colorchanging container apparatus includes a container having an open top, abottom and a side, and constructed from a material such that at least apart of the container transmits light there-through; a base attachableto the bottom of the container, comprising: a plurality of lightemitting devices positioned to direct light from the light emittingdevices through the bottom of the container when the container isconnected to the base and providing a plurality of user selectablecolors; and a plurality of switches for selecting a desired color; and acontroller connected to the at least one light emitting device and theplurality of switches for controlling the at least one light emittingdevice according to inputs received from the plurality of switches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from thespecific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of a color changing containerapparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a base of a color changingcontainer apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of thisdisclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limitedto the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters describedand/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only andis not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, andreference to a particular numerical value includes at least thatparticular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Rangesmay be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” oneparticular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particularvalue. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes fromthe one particular value and/or to the other particular value.Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatialreferences, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper,lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only andcan be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure describes a container that can change color usingat least one visible light source. The container can be manufacturedsuch that all or part of the container transmits light there-through,for example by adding paint or decals on the container or manufacturingpart(s) of the container from non-transparent material(s). In addition,any liquid contained in the container can also take on the color of thevisible light source. Further, the color of the light source can bechangeable either by a user or automatically based on preprogramming ofa specialized controller. Different patterns of flashing or flickeringcolors can also be achieved by the present disclosure. The novel colorchanging container will now be described with respect to theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a color changing container apparatus 10according to the present disclosure will now be described. The containerapparatus 10 includes a container 20 and a base 30.

Although not a required feature, container apparatus 10 can also includea lid 40, and, as shown, with an optional straw 50. Optional lid 40 isshown connectable to container 20 via threads 21/41; other type ofconnecting features are contemplated, for example, lid 40 could beconnectable to container 20 via a snap seal.

Container 20 includes a bottom 22 and a side 23. Differing shapes andsizes of container 20 are contemplated. For example, container 20 can befabricated into the shape of a mug with or without side patterning andwith a handle. Optionally, container 20 can include graphics and/orindicia (not shown).

Container 20 can be fabricated from any glass or polymeric materialsuitable for the purposes described herein. A characteristic of thematerial suitable for container 20 is that bottom 22 and side 23 iscapable of transmitting visible light through at least a part of thecontainer. For example, polymeric materials suitable for use in thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, engineering plasticssuch as high density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), ultra high molecularweight polyethylene plastic (UHMWPE), MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic(Nylon), polytetrafluoroethylene plastic (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenyleneoxide (PPO), polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK),polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), orpolyoxymethylene plastic (POM/Acetal).

Base 30 includes switches 104-108, and a circuit board 101 containinglight emitting diodes (LEDs) 111-113, and battery 120. As differentswitches 104-108 are selected LED(s) 111-113 will be connected tobattery 120 to provide illumination. The LEDs 111-113 and battery 120can be included on a single circuit board 101. Base 30 is connectable tocontainer 20 via threads 34/24 respectively. Other connecting featuresare contemplated. Although described as “connectable” base 30 andcontainer 20 can be connected and even manufactured as a singlemonolithic piece. If base 30 is connected to container 20, base 30should be water resistant to allow for suitable cleaning of containerapparatus 10.

Although the LEDs are described as being located in the base of thecontainer apparatus, other positions of the LEDs are contemplated. Forexample, the LEDs can be positions in the sides of the containerapparatus or in the lid as desired. The LEDs only need to be positionedsuch that the light emanating there from is directed into the containerapparatus.

LEDs 111-113 provide at least three user selectable individual colors.At least part of the container 20 is illuminated and acquires theselected color when the individual color light provided by the lightemitting device is switched on.

More particularly, the LEDs 111-113 include at least three lightemitting devices, each, when actuated, emitting a color specific to thedevice and different from the colors of the other light emittingdevices. A single multi-colored LED is also contemplated. In a preferredembodiment the LEDs comprise a specific light emitting diode for each ofat least three different colors. Exemplary colors include, but are notlimited to, red, blue, purple, yellow, green etc. Although lightemitting diodes are preferred, as an alternative low wattageincandescent light bulbs of different selected colors can be employed asthe light emitting devices.

In another embodiment, switches 204-208 can be connected to a speciallyprogrammed controller 230 that can control the overall operation of thecolor changing container apparatus 10. A memory 240 can be included tostore various programming to enable controller 230 to vary the lightpatterns of LEDs 111-113.

Container apparatus 10 includes switches 104-108 associated with base30. In particular the switches can be, for example push button switches,slide switches, other switches or combinations thereof. In anembodiment, a particular switch itself can be color coded to conform tothe light color selected by the switch. The multiple switches 104-108are disposed on a lateral side 35 of the base 30. In this configuration,switch 104 supplies power to the elements of the circuit. Switch 105activates one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device,for example the red light emitting diode. Switch 106 activates adifferent one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device,for example the blue light emitting diode. Switch 107 activates a thirdone of the light emitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, forexample the purple light emitting diode. Switch 108 actuates all of thelight emitting diodes at the same time.

The three LEDs 111-113 each provide a particular color different fromthe colors of the other LEDs. Battery 120 provides a power source foroperation of the LEDs. Switch 105 controls power to light emitting diode111. Switch 106 controls power to light emitting diode 112. Switch 107controls power to light emitting diode 113. Accordingly, when any of theswitches 105, 106 or 107 are actuated the container 20 is totallyilluminated with the color of the particular LED associated with thecorresponding switch.

Switch 108 is preferably a triple pole switch. When actuated, switch 108provides power to all three LEDs 111, 112 and 113, thereby alsoproviding an additional color which is made up of the combined colors ofthe three LEDs. In an alternative embodiment, switch 108 provides powerto two of the LEDs. Other lighting variations are contemplated.

As described above, container apparatus 10 can also include controller230, memory 240 and, optionally, speaker S. In this configuration,switch 204 causes controller to activate a light show with multipleflashing light emitting diodes to provide a color light show, optionallywith sound effects provided through speaker S. Switch 205 causescontroller to activate one of the light emitting diodes of themulticolor LED device, for example the red light emitting diode. Switch208 causes controller to activate a different one of the light emittingdiodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the blue light emittingdiode. Switch 207 causes controller to activate a third one of the lightemitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the purplelight emitting diode. Switch 208 causes controller to activate all ofthe light emitting diodes at the same time. Other lighting variationsare contemplated.

Controller 230 is also connected to a speaker S to provide sound effectsstored in memory 240. Controller 230 is programmed to turn on and offthe light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113 in a desired pattern(s) basedon the switch positions, thereby providing a light show with soundeffects.

As discussed above, other switch embodiments are contemplated. A liquidactivated switch is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Contacts 601/602 areplaced on the inside of container 20. Contacts 601/602 can be connectedinto circuit as shown in FIG. 7. As a liquid is placed in container 20the level of the liquid will rise and eventually cover both contacts601/602, thus completing the electric circuit and turning on one or moreLEDs 111/112/113. As the liquid is consumed the level of the liquid willfall below contact 601 thus opening the circuit and turning off theLEDs. The liquid activated switch can also be included in the circuit ofFIG. 5 to have controller 130 programmed to determine which outputs areactivated, e.g., LEDs, speaker, etc.

Although the control of the lights in the color changing containerapparatus 10 have been described with respect to the electricalconfigurations of FIGS. 4 and 5, other variations are contemplated toproduce the lighting and/or sound effects described herein andvariations thereof.

In addition, although the color changing container apparatus has beendescribed herein to include the container and base, it is conceivableand contemplated by the present disclosure to illuminate a containerwithout the need for a base. For example, a container can bemanufactured with a light emitting, device, battery and switch attachedto or even molded within the container itself. The switch can beaccessible to a user to operate the light emitting device. Otherelectronic components if included in the embodiment, for example acontroller and/or speaker, can also be attached to and/or molded withinthe container without the need for the base. Thus, in any embodiment orvariations thereof, the container, and its contents if included, can beilluminated by the at least one light emitting device to take on thecolor(s) emitted by the light emitting device.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specificsshould not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely asexemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in theart will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit ofthe invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure ina specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certaincircumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed,and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedureclaim set forth herein below not be construed as being order-specificunless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.

While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have beendescribed in reference to the environment in which they were developedthey are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions.Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, otherembodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention,and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those ofskill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A color changing container apparatus, comprising:a container having an open top, a bottom and a side, and constructedfrom a material such that at least a part of the container transmitslight there-through; at least one light emitting device to direct lightthrough the at least the part of the container; and further comprising acover attachable to the top of the container.
 2. The color changingcontainer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one switchelectrically connected to the light emitting device for controlling thelight emitting device.
 3. The color changing container apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising: a controller connected to the at least onelight emitting device and the at least one switch for controlling the atleast one light emitting device according to an input received from atleast one switch.
 4. The color changing container apparatus of claim 2,wherein the at least one switch is a liquid activated switch.
 5. Thecolor changing container apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least onelight emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED).
 6. The colorchanging container apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one lightemitting device is positioned in an interior space of the container. 7.The color changing container apparatus of claim 1 wherein the containeris fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of highdensity polyethylene plastic, ultra high molecular weight polyethyleneplastic, MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene plastic,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polybutyleneterephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene oxide,polysulphone, polyetherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyimides,polyphenylene sulfide and polyoxymethylene plastic.
 8. The colorchanging container apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container isfabricated from glass.
 9. A color changing container apparatus,comprising: a container having an open top, a bottom and a side, andconstructed from a material such that at least a part of the containertransmits light there-through; a base attachable to the bottom of thecontainer, comprising: at least one light emitting device positioned todirect light through the bottom of the container when the container isconnected to the base and providing a plurality of user selectablecolors; and a plurality of switches for selecting a desired color; and acover attachable to the top of the container.
 10. The color changingcontainer apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a controllerconnected to the at least one light emitting device and the plurality ofswitches for controlling the at least one light emitting deviceaccording to inputs received from at least one switch.
 11. The colorchanging container apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controller isconnected to a speaker to provide sound effects.
 12. The color changingcontainer apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one light emittingdevice comprise at least one light emitting diode for each of at leastthree user selectable colors.
 13. The color changing container apparatusof claim 9 wherein the plurality of switches includes at least oneswitch for a respective one of each of the desired colors.
 14. The colorchanging container apparatus of claim 9 wherein said container is formedin the shape of a mug.
 15. The color changing container apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein the switches are disposed on a lateral side of thecontainer.
 16. A color changing container apparatus, comprising: acontainer having an open top, a bottom and a side, and constructed froma material such that at least a part of the container transmits lightthere-through; a base attachable to the bottom of the container,comprising: a plurality of light emitting devices positioned to directlight from the light emitting devices through the bottom of thecontainer when the container is connected to the base and providing aplurality of user selectable colors; and a plurality of switches forselecting a desired color; a controller connected to the at least onelight emitting device and the plurality of switches for controlling theat least one light emitting device according to inputs received from theplurality of switches; and a cover attachable to the top of thecontainer.
 17. The color changing container apparatus of claim 16wherein the controller is connected to a speaker to provide soundeffects.
 18. The color changing container apparatus of claim 16, whereinthe controller can activate more than one light emitting device.
 19. Thecolor changing container apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality oflight emitting devices are light emitting diodes (LEDs).